Matthew Elder

Ray (26), has been pulled from his fight against Jake Matthews at the MGM Grand on July 8 which was part of the build up to the blockbuster UFC 200 event.

Australian Matthews will instead face Kevin Lee in the lightweight bout.

Ray, however, has not yet given up hope of appearing on the Vegas card as he battles to secure the necessary paperwork in time to for a late call-up.

The Fifer told his army of Facebook followers: “I’m gutted as I’m in great shape at this stage of fight camp.

“I’m in the process of getting a visa now so hopefully soon I have one and have time to get rematched on the same card or same weekend as a few people are flying over to see my fight.”

Ray was called up to the UFC last year and has made a strong impact in the world’s top mixed martial arts promotion with three wins from his first three fights.

The former St Andrews High School pupil subsequently won the 2015 Sports Star of the Year award, voted for by Fife Free Press Group readers, at the Kirkcaldy & Central Fife Sports Council awards evening.

After recently recovering from knee surgery, Ray has been training at the renowned Tristar gym in Montreal, Canada.